Major upgrades proposed for Franklin library

Thursday

Mar 13, 2014 at 12:10 AM

By Matt TotaDaily News Staff

FRANKLIN — A multimillion-dollar overhaul is being considered for the Ray Memorial Library, including a new addition in the back of the building and an upgraded cooling and heating system.Civitects, a Wareham-based architectural company, has presented the Capital Improvement Committee with the results of a revised feasibility study for the library that details the $6.6 million project.The construction would call for a two-story addition — roughly 3,000 square feet per floor — attached to the children’s wing, as well as accessibility and HVAC upgrades, new furniture, carpeting, sprinklers, and lighting.The first floor of the addition would have two bathrooms and a community meeting room open to the public after-hours and, next to that, a wing for teenagers. In addition to a coffee station and two bathrooms, the second level would have more than 1,000 square feet of additional stacking space for books.Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said the addition addresses a significant space shortage in the library. Initially, the focus was on the building’s antiquated infrastructure. But, Nutting said, "The thought is, if we are going to spend $3 million to upgrade it," why not pay more to expand the building.Any construction, he said, would have to mesh with the aesthetics and historical features of the building, which was heavily influenced by Hellenistic architecture. Indeed, some of the interior work will be aimed at "restoring the historical character of the building," said Nutting.According to the town, the library is considered America’s first public library.More than two centuries ago, when the town took its name in honor of Benjamin Franklin, the Founding Father was asked to donate a bell for the local church steeple. However, Franklin instead offered some of his personal volumes for the town’s residents to read. To resolve a controversy about who could read Franklin’s books, the town voted on Nov. 20, 1790 to lend them to the public, free of charge.Nutting said the town still has those historic books, locked away in a safe, and will hold on to them for as long as it exists.In 1904, the Ray Memorial Building was dedicated, giving the library a permanent home.Civitects’ original feasibility study dates back to 2007. The study pushed forward about $400,000 in work on the building’s exterior. It also identified as areas of concern the library’s aging plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems.Town officials asked the company to update the study last year.Members of the Town Council, capital improvement panel and library board of directors toured the building recently as part of discussions on the project.The council will soon deliberate on whether to fund the entire project or just the necessary infrastructure improvements. Until a project manager is obtained and bids received, officials won’t have an accurate picture of the full cost.Matt Tota can be reached at 508-634-7521 or mtota@wickedlocal.com.